calling all experts first keirin tonight and looking for pointers. (assuming it will be a large bunch of at least 12 riders) ie. is it just a gradually faster paceline till the derni leaves or are there "fun and games" before then ?

I've been watching lots of keirin events on youtube and it seems to involve either: getting dressed up in lots of colourful padding, racing hard and crashing OR racing around at high speeds and shouldering and headbutting people. I'm hoping for a nice clean set of races for Div 5 at least. You're a hard man, so you shouldn't mind the argy-bargy.

On a side note, I'm loving the variety of races you get at RAW. It's like a track race sampler. Absolutely the best thing to do on a Friday night.

I like to get off the start behind the derni and stay there. If the pace line rolls, when you get to the derni stay there. Nothing says you need to roll off. If your up the back nearing when the derni pulls off start to move up early or you'll miss the boat. You are allowed to come around but not pass the derni till it's off. Don't head around early or you'll be out in the wind for too long. The crafty (forgive the pun) riders will be up the front for most races. Safest place to be and closer for the kick. Good luck and enjoy it.

Last season Sean Eadie was on the derny, so you get an opportunity to overtake Big Sean.

If you are a ways back in the paceline, keep a close eye on those in front as it starts to wind up, if you get caught behind anyone who drops off the wheel it can mean race over, so if you see them starting to crack get out and around before the gaps get too big.

big sean was in the stands to watch his boys from NSWIS leave div.1 for dead.last night for me was a non-event - i couldnt find the "on button". It seemed all i was doing was getting boxed in and blocked by slower riders and then expending too much trying to bridge gaps. I did notice that the racing was a lot closer and more aggressive this week. i hadnt felt nervous at all until then. The 'winners race' was just confusion, with the sprint winners circulating at the front and just making it confusing at times to work out who was actually at the front - then the commisaire starting yelling at them to drop off the lead ! Still lots of fun though, and great to see "world champions" are not immune to riding like morons and causing chaos - just sad to see someone else with a fractured clavicle because of it...